xh-a1s equivalent of the standby mode
 

I know the xh-a1 had one but I can't find anything in the manual or on the camera that functions like a standby power mode for the xh-a1s.

Yes, there is and I set my A1s to that mode.

You first have to go into the settings menu and turn power saver to OFF. You can then assign one of the two custom key buttons to "VCR" something or other.

Then every time you want to power the heads down you press either button one or two (which ever button you set) (again you have to have already had the camera's power save in the menu set to OFF).

Then when you want to start shooting, I think you can either hit the special key button to engage the heads or maybe all you have to do is just press the record button and it takes it out of that mode automatically and starts to record.

Edit: Just looked at my camera and the display says "VCR Stop" so that is the function.

2nd Edit: Page 31 of the manual.

Thanks! now I have 1 button for turning off the image stabilizer and one for vcr stop.